I should never mistake informality for insolence: one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 14. Jane flatly tells her Rochester that no free person like herself would tolerate insolence, even if they are being paid. The two are having a conversation about masters and servants, during Jane refers to herself as his “paid subordinate.” Rochester then replies with a suggestion: “I had forgotten the salary! Well then, on that mercenary ground, will you agree to let me hector a little?” But there are some things “free-born” Jane is unwilling to tolerate, even from the “master” who pays her salary. So she tells him where to go with his suggestion, to which Rochester angrily replies: “Humbug! Most things free-born will submit to anything for a salary; therefore, keep to yourself and don’t venture on generalities of which you are intensely ignorant.”